City to Waterfront

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Introduction Foreword In February this year Wellington City Council commissioned renowned Copenhagen urban designer Jan Gehl of Gehl Architects to undertake a study on how Wellingtonians use public spaces in the central city. I am pleased to now present Jan Gehl’s report. This report looks, in some detail, at how people use public spaces in the central city, including the waterfront. It assesses how people move around the city, and more specifi cally, how public spaces could be used better. It has a number of interesting recommendations. This report provides us with a useful benchmark to assess our city against others that have been studied by Gehl Architects including London, Copenhagen, Adelaide and Perth. It is pleasing to note that Wellington compares well. Our central city is thriving and successful and we’re heading in the right direction. There is, of course, still much to be done to unlock the full potential of the central city. This report challenges us make changes to achieve this potential, particularly in respect of traffi c and parking. The timing of this report coincides with a number of signifi cant milestones in planning and urban design within the central city and beyond. These include the initiation of the fi rst Wellington Regional Strategy project and the fi rst integrated city strategy. Both these projects will recognise the importance of the central city for Wellington and the region. An implementation plan is currently being prepared. That plan will give full consideration to the ideas in this report. Transport in the central city is a critical issue for the city and the region, and future plans for this area must be fully integrated with wider transport solutions. Gehl Architects has provided the Council with a timely and comprehensive set of ideas and recommendations. Some we are already doing, some may be factored into future plans and some may not. Jan Gehl’s report will help us refi ne our plans for the central city and unlock its true potential as the vibrant, dynamic, modern and successful capital city of New Zealand. Kerry Prendergast Mayor Page 3.

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Copenhagen Studies in Urban Life by Architect M.A.A
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